Houston Braces for Crazy Ant Invasion

Now that temperatures are rising, Houston area residents are bracing for a possible advance of tawny crazy ants, also referred to as Rasberry ants, in the coming weeks, Fox News reports.

The hairy, reddish-brown ant is named after Rasberry because he was the first one to spot the insect in a Houston suburb in 2002. The ant, also known as the Tawny Crazy Ant, is even known to fight the fierce-stinging fire ant, another Texas scourge.

The article noted the ants have expanded their presence to 27 counties from just eight.

CLS Announces Retirement of Pate and Warns

From left to right: Charlie Pate, Dan Ariaz and H.F. Warns at Pate and Warns’ retirement dinner.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — Central Life Sciences announced the retirement of Charles (Charlie) Pate and H.F. Warns from the Zoëcon Professional Products division.

Charlie Pate was the mid-Atlantic region manager for Zoëcon Professional Products (ZPP) where he was responsible for the vector and professional pest management markets. A 23-year employee of Central Life Sciences, Pate has contributed to the advancement of public health vector control as a supplier, educator, practitioner and professional association board member. These involvements led him to earn the Zoëcon Outstanding Sales Achievement Award and the Georgia Pest Control Association Pioneer Award.

“Charlie’s unsurpassed technical expertise and dedication to the goals of the mosquito control profession allowed him to become one of our most consistent and successful salespeople and an extremely influential leader within his division,” said Larry Smith, Director of Sales for Central Life Sciences. “We have greatly enjoyed working with Charlie and wish him well in retirement.”

Previously, Charlie worked for other large companies in the chemical industry as regional manager and at the Florida Department of Health as the district entomologist. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in zoology from Clemson University and a Master of Science degree in medical entomology from the University of Georgia and has served on several state and regional mosquito and pest control association committees.

H.F. Warns was the south central regional manager for the ZPP division of Central Life Sciences and was responsible for the vector and professional pest management markets. A 15-year employee of Central Life Sciences, Warns has successfully launched and established more than a dozen new products, developed and presented training programs for both the pest management and vector markets, while significantly impacting the company’s sales growth throughout the years. During his time at the company, Warns has earned numerous awards and recognitions including being named Salesman of the Year twice. He is also an accomplished speaker who has presented seminars on industry topics across the United States.

“In his 15 years with the company, H.F. has earned an exemplary reputation for sales achievement, very strong customer relationships and a well-rounded yet thorough knowledge of both the pest and vector control industries,” said Smith. “He was a crucial member of the ZPP team and his presence will definitely be missed, but we wish him all the best in his retirement.”

Boasting a military background and previous positions with a variety of large chemical companies, H.F. Warns is a graduate of Texas A&M University and has concluded his career in the pest control industry after 30 successful years.

N.J. Company Participates in ‘Hoarding: Buried Alive’ Episode

MARLTON, N.J. — In 15-plus years of doing pest control work, Stephen Scian, owner of Marlton, N.J.-based Stephen's Exterminating, has witnessed almost every type of pest infestation possible, but nothing could have prepared him for the cockroach infestation he encountered as part of the March 19 “Hoarding: Buried Alive” episode.

“This was the absolute worst I had seen,” Scian told PCT. “The best way I could ‘ballpark a figure’ is that in any 10-foot by 10-foot area there were hundreds of thousands of roaches. Every time I lifted a can or small box I would see 100 or 200 roaches, and there were countless items in this house.”

As explained on the show, the home's owner, identified only as Seymour, is a retired orthopedic surgeon who developed a roach infestation because of his extreme hoarding issues. The problem was so severe that he carried bugs with him on his clothing wherever he went, leaving them behind at supermarkets and stores.

Scian and service professional Bill McQuoid were called in to inspect and assess the situation, consult with Seymour and — once the cleanup was done — service the home for roaches, which included the use of IGRs, pyrethroid foggers and baits, and many crack and crevice treatments. “I explained to the homeowner that the best shot we had [at eliminating the infestation] was for him to get rid of [a lot of] stuff,” Scian said.

Once the majority of the items were removed, Scian and McQuoid went to work. He said they were able to get 75 percent of the infestation under control in the first visit; they also did a follow-up service. (Scian said that Seymour has since decided to move out of the house, so that has been the extent of Stephen's Exterminating’s involvement.)

How did the TV opportunity come about for Stephen's Exterminating? Scian is friends with Harry Allcroft, president of PuroClean Emergency Recovery Services, the company called in to do the cleanup. Allcroft recommended Scian to the TV program’s producers, and they shot the segment in December.

Scian founded Stephen's Exterminating in July 2000 after working for his brother’s landscaping business. He said Dow AgroSciences’ introduction of the Sentricon Termite Colony Elimination System in the mid-1990s piqued his interest in structural pest control. He employs two other technicians and an office assistant and the company has developed a stellar reputation providing services in the Marlton, N.J. area.

Truly Nolen Announces South Miami and Hollywood (Fla.) Managers

MIAMI — Truly Nolen announced that Fania Montenegro has been named manager of the company’s South Miami location, and Malik Mantro is branch manager of its Hollywood, Fla., branch.

Montenegro, a Deerfield Beach native, constantly makes sure her team knows they can count on her for anything. The collaborative atmosphere, in addition to the company’s successful history, is what drew Montenegro to Truly Nolen in the first place.

“I was attracted to Truly Nolen because they are family-owned, with a history of stability and growth,” said Montenegro. “They have developed a very effective training program.”

Montenegro is responsible for the day-to-day service and administrative operations of the South Miami branch as well as training and new business ventures.

“Fania has a strong management background,” said Lance Washington, District Manager for South Florida. “She does a great job of connecting with both staff and customers and embraces Truly Nolen’s core values.”

Mantro spent years in marketing and operations management positions and initially sought a position within the pest control industry because it required less traveling. The Brooklyn native enjoys a challenge and that’s exactly what he has found with Truly Nolen.

“One great thing about this job is that I get to meet new people every day,” said Mantro. “I’m constantly thinking of ways to improve internally and externally; it really breaks the monotony that I’ve found at other jobs.”

As branch manager, Mantro fosters relationships between customers and employees by ensuring maximum efficiency and service.

“Since joining the Truly Nolen family, Malik has proven his skills as a leader,” said Rafael Masferrer, Broward, Palm Beach and Brevard County District Manager. “His desire to develop potential in others makes him the perfect choice to lead and support the Hollywood team.”